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Ronald Wayne, Apple’s Third Cofounder, Reaffirms No‑Regret 1976 Exit Over Liability Risk

His comments revive focus on legal risk for founders under general partnerships.

Overview

  • Wayne, 91, again defended leaving Apple days after its founding, which coincided with a small dip in the stock in recent trading.
  • He says he left to avoid unlimited joint liability in a general partnership, a setup that can make any partner responsible for all company debts.
  • He drafted the founding agreement, received a 10% stake, and sold it back for $800 before later accepting $1,500 to surrender future claims.
  • At Apple’s near $4 trillion valuation today, that original 10% would be worth roughly $400 billion on paper.
  • His story is drawing fresh interest from aspiring entrepreneurs, and he has leaned into the irony with a Busch Light Apple promotion.